Grilled Beet Flatbread

Ingredients:

• 2 whole wheat flatbreads
• 4 medium beets, any colors - greens cut off, beets peeled, and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil + extra for brushing on flatbread
• salt and pepper
• 4 large handfuls Kale
• 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon agave
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons feta cheese

Preparation:

1. Preheat grill or a cast-iron grill plate over your stove to medium low heat.
2. In a small bowl, toss the sliced beets with olive oil and a few dashes of salt and pepper. Be sure to toss the yellow beets separately from the red beets, so the red color won't bleed onto the yellow. Once grill is to heat, place beets in a single layer and cook slowly until there are nice char-marks, about 8-10 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until the beets are fork-tender.

FOR BALSAMIC REDUCTION:

1. While the beets are cooking, you can start on the balsamic reduction. In a small saucepan, heat the balsamic vinegar until it comes to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to just a simmer, stirring occasionally until the vinegar has reduced to about half it's original amount and is a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat.

FOR "CANDIED" ALMONDS:

1. Place chopped almonds and agave in a small pan on low heat. Stir often and keep a close eye on the almonds. Make sure they are all coated with agave. The agave will become a deep brown color, and as soon as that happens, take it off the heat. Any longer and it will burn, and you do not want that! Put the almonds on a plate and using a fork, separate the individual almonds so they aren't stuck together in one big clump.

FOR KALE:

1. Place the kale in a large pan over low heat. Sprinkle a few drops of water in the pan and cover to create a steam. Let sit for about 2 minutes just so it can soften a bit. Use tongs to toss the kale around. You want it to wilt just a tiny bit so it still holds its crunch and color but it more pliable.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Either microwave the flatbreads or warm over a pan. Brush with a small amount of olive oil. Divide the kale between two flatbreads. Top with beets, candied almonds, and feta. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction. Cut into individual slices.

https://happyfoodhealthylife.com/grilled-beet-flatbread-salad/

Greek Kale Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 medium bunch of curly green kale (about 8 ounces)
• Fine sea salt
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
• ½ cup thinly sliced Kalamata olives and/or roughly chopped pepper rings
• ⅓ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed and drained
• ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan (optional)
• ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Creamy tahini dressing

• 1⁄4 cup tahini
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 to 1 ½ lemons)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium clove garlic, pressed or minced
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1. To prepare the salad: Place the chopped kale in a large serving bowl. Sprinkle it lightly with salt and massage it with your hands by scrunching up large handfuls at a time until it’s darker and more fragrant (this makes the kale more tasty and easier to eat). Add the chickpeas, olives and/or pepper rings, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan (if using). Set aside.
2. To toast the sunflower seeds, combine the seeds with the olive oil and a few dashes of salt in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the seeds are fragrant and turning lightly golden at the edges, about 5 minutes. Pour the toasted seeds into the salad bowl.
3. To prepare the salad dressing: In a small liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine the tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, and salt. Whisk until blended. Add the water and whisk until blended. Season generously with freshly black pepper, to taste.
4. Pour the dressing into the salad (you might not need quite all of it, but I did). Toss until the salad is evenly coated with dressing. Serve immediately. This salad keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

https://cookieandkate.com/greek-kale-salad-recipe/

Chilled Vidalia Onion Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 medium to large Vidalia onions
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• Garnish: chopped chives (optional)

Preparation:

1. Peel and slice the onions. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and thyme, stir to coat with the olive oil and place a tight fitting lid on the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent. Do not brown the onions. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.
2. Transfer the soft onions to a food processor or blender. Add the kosher salt and vegetable broth and puree until smooth. Transfer to a storage container and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. If soup separates overnight, stir it until it's smooth again, then ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped chives.

https://www.garlicandzest.com/chilled-vidalia-onion-soup/